Artwork
Portrait of John McAllister, Sr.
Portrait of John McAllister, Sr. is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist James Peale. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
James Peale, an American painter active in the early nineteenth century, produced an oil portrait in 1812 that now resides in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The work depicts John McAllister, Sr., a gentleman seated at a table, rendered in the straightforward, narrative style associated with American folk art.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is presented in a dignified pose, his right hand holding spectacles and his left hand resting calmly in his lap. A small red object—interpreted as a pocket knife or letter opener—lies on the table, hinting at personal habits or status. The composition emphasizes the individual's respectable bearing within a domestic setting.
Technique & Style
Peale employs a restrained palette of dark jacket, white shirt, and muted background, while using chiaroscuro to model the figure and suggest depth. The brushwork is tight and detailed, characteristic of the folk‑art tradition that favored clear representation over elaborate illusion.
History & Provenance
Created in 1812, the portrait entered the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its provenance traces back to the McAllister family, though specific acquisition details are recorded by the museum’s curatorial records.
Context
The painting reflects early‑19th‑century American portraiture, a period when artists like James Peale documented the emerging middle class. The work aligns with contemporary expectations for modest yet respectful depictions of respectable citizens in the young republic.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
James Peale (1749 – May 24, 1831) was an American painter, best known for his miniature and still life paintings, and a younger brother of noted painter Charles Willson Peale.
